Athletic Trainer Salary in Mississippi: $46,181 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median athletic trainer pay sits at $46,181/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-9091. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,887 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jackson ($45,693), Gulfport ($45,125), Pearl ($44,871).
In Mississippi, the average median salary for athletic trainers in 2026 is projected to be $46,182, which is considerably lower than the national median of $65,415, reflecting a 29.4% gap. The highest-paying city in the state is Jackson, where athletic trainers can expect to earn $47,809, while the lowest-paying city is Clinton, with a salary of $43,578. This $4,231 difference is largely influenced by the cost of living, local demand for health services, and the type of sports facilities present in each city. As for qualifications, athletic trainers in Mississippi must adhere to state licensing requirements and practice under specific scope of practice laws that define their roles in athletic health care. The job market shows strength with a projected growth rate of 4.63% annually, indicating a steady demand for athletic trainers driven by an increased focus on sports health and injury prevention in schools and communities. Key cities contributing to employment include Gulfport at $47,214, Pearl at $46,949, Tupelo at $46,937, and Madison at $46,750. The overall employment figure for athletic trainers in the state is estimated at 163, suggesting a solid opportunity for those entering the field.
Mississippi Athletic Trainer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $34,773 (lowest entry-level) to $70,406 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi athletic trainers earn 29.4% less than the national median ($-19,234/year difference).
Mississippi Athletic Trainer Salary Distribution (2026)
Athletic Trainer salaries in Mississippi range from $36,463 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,027 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,181. The Mississippi median is $19,234 below the US national median of $65,415. The average hourly rate is $22.20/hr. Approximately 163 athletic trainers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,010
2025 BLS Actual
$44,138
2026 Current Est.
$46,181
2019–2027 Growth
+2.8%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,184 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,138 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,181 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,320 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew -6.1% from $47,010 (2019) to $44,138 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,320 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,310 (2.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $43,578 |
| Laurel | $43,836 |
| Columbus | $44,569 |
| Hernando | $44,619 |
| Olive Branch | $44,844 |
Best Value Cities for Athletic Trainers in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for athletic trainers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $47,809 | 85.7 | $55,786 |
| Gulfport | $47,214 | 85.7 | $55,092 |
| Pearl | $46,949 | 85.7 | $54,783 |
| Tupelo | $46,937 | 85.7 | $54,769 |
| Madison | $46,750 | 85.7 | $54,551 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,463 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $46,181 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $64,027 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | $47,809 |
| 2 | Gulfport | $47,214 |
| 3 | Pearl | $46,949 |
| 4 | Tupelo | $46,937 |
| 5 | Madison | $46,750 |
| 6 | Southaven | $46,625 |
| 7 | Biloxi | $46,518 |
| 8 | Horn Lake | $46,434 |
| 9 | Starkville | $46,092 |
| 10 | Ridgeland | $45,507 |
| 11 | Vicksburg | $45,507 |
| 12 | Hattiesburg | $45,223 |
| 13 | Oxford | $45,220 |
| 14 | Brandon | $45,172 |
| 15 | Meridian | $44,932 |
| 16 | Olive Branch | $44,844 |
| 17 | Hernando | $44,619 |
| 18 | Columbus | $44,569 |
| 19 | Laurel | $43,836 |
| 20 | Clinton | $43,578 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced athletic trainers.
Explore More Athletic Trainer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do athletic trainers make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for athletic trainers in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi athletic trainer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level athletic trainer salary in Mississippi?
How many athletic trainers are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for athletic trainers?
Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 athletic trainer compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more athletic trainerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov